Former heavyweight boxing champion Mohammed Ali, aka ‘The Greatest’, sadly passed away on Saturday, 4 June 2016, aged 74, following experiencing respiratory illness at a hospital in Phoenix Arizona, America. He had been admitted on Thursday, 2 June 2016, with his illness, which had been complicated by Parkinsonās disease.
He was born Cassius Marcellus Clay. He was catapulted to fame, after winning the light-heavyweight gold, at the Rome Olympics, in 1960. After turning professional, he went on to beat the then world champion Sonny Liston, who was considered to be unbeatable, after retiring the fighter in the sixth round.
Mohammed Ali turned the financial earnings of boxers around when he refused to be controlled by the leading promoters, but recognised his own worth as a boxer.
Ali was well known as a boxer, but he was also a singer, an actor and a poet. In 1963 Ali released an album, āI AM The Greatestā, and his album included a cover of Ben E. Kingās famous song āStand by meā.
A gifted orator and outspoken personality, Ali became the first boxer in history to capture the heavyweight title on separate occasions. His oratory gift was well known and appreciated by presidents and the folk in the streets alike.
People say I talk so slow today. Thatās no surprise. I calculated Iāve taken 29,000 punches. But I earned $57m and I saved half of it. So I took a few hard knocks. Do you know how many black men are killed every year by guns and knives without a penny to their names? I may talk slow, but my mind is OK.ā
What I suffered physically was worth what Iāve accomplished in life. A man who is not courageous enough to take risks will never accomplish anything in life.ā
Float like a butterfly sting like a bee ā his hands canāt hit what his eyes canāt see.Iām so fast that last night I turned off the light switch in my hotel room and got into bed before the room was dark.
When he finally retired in 1981, he had fought 61 fights, winning 56 of these bouts and going down in history as one of, if not the greatest boxer of all time.
Ali spoke well of himself and believed what he said. As Christians we have the Word of God and we are to boldly declare the Word, walk in faith, fight the good fight and accept that even before we see the end that victory is already ours.
This week as we endeavour to fight the good fight, remember even though the enemy the devil prowls like a roaring lion ā heās only ālikeā one.